As Ohio State Football prepares for the 2026 season, the team enters the year ranked No. 1 in preseason national polls for the first time since 2015. Longtime Buckeyes writer Bill Rabinowitz discussed the team’s upcoming campaign during an interview with host Stu Osborne on WOSU in Columbus, Ohio, on August 31, 2026.

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The Buckeyes are scheduled to play 12 regular season games, six of which are against opponents ranked in the preseason top 25. That gauntlet includes a high-profile week two road matchup against Texas. Rabinowitz noted that returning offensive leaders—including quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, along with an experienced offensive line—give the team strong championship potential despite the difficult schedule.

Defensively, Ohio State is retooling under coach Matt Patricia following the departure of key players Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, and Arvell Reese. Rabinowitz indicated that transfer reinforcements and returning depth should help keep the unit competitive.

Discussing playoff scenarios, Rabinowitz emphasized how the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format changes regular-season dynamics. He noted that a 10-2 finish—or potentially even a 9-3 record—could be enough for Ohio State to earn a playoff berth, adding that facing top-tier opponents during the regular season would leave the team better prepared for postseason competition.

The interview also touched on team mindset, with Rabinowitz recalling a press conference exchange where head coach Ryan Day stated, “I’m never happy.” Additionally, Rabinowitz highlighted his book, “Buckeye Brotherhood,” which covers the 2024 Ohio State national championship team and is available on Audible and Amazon.

Source: WOSU — Original report

Wararka Af-Soomaaliga

Ohio State oo Soogashay Kaalinta 1-aad ee Xilli-ciyaareedka 2026

Magaalada Columbus, Ohio, kooxda kubadda cagta Mareykanka ee Ohio State Football ayaa u diyaar-garowaysa xilli-ciyaareedka 2026 iyada oo markii ugu horreysay tan iyo sannadkii 2015 fariisatay kaalinta 1-aad ee qiimeynta qaranka. Rabinowitz oo muddada dheer ka mid ahaa wariyayaasha dabagala kooxdaas ayaa rajada ciyaartoyda ku falanqeeyay waraysi uu siiyay Stu Osborne oo ka tirsan idaacadda WOSU, taariikhdu marka ay ahayd 31-kii Ogosto 2026.

Xilli-ciyaareedka caadiga ah, kooxda Ohio State waxay ciyaari doontaa 12 kulan, iyadoo 6 ka mid ah ay yihiin kooxo ku jira 25-ka ugu sareeya ee xulalka dalka. Waxaa kulamadaas adag ka mid ah ciyaar toddobaadka labaad ka dhici doonta garoonka kooxda Texas. Rabinowitz ayaa sheegay in ciyaartoyda weerarka ee dib u soo laabtay — oo ay ka mid yihiin baas-bixiyaha Julian Sayin iyo qabaha kubbada ee Jeremiah Smith — ay kooxda siinayaan awood weyn oo ay markale ku hốtin karaan horyaalka qaranka.

Dhanka difaaca, kooxda ayaa dib u dhis ku samaynaysa hoos yimaada tababare Matt Patricia, ka dib markii ay ka tageen ciyaartoy muhiim ahaa oo ay ka mid yihiin Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, iyo Arvell Reese. Rabinowitz ayaa sheegay in ciyaartoyda cusub ee kaydka ka soo biiray iyo kuwa khibradda leh ay difaaca ka caawin doonaan inuu sii lahaado awood tartankiisa.

Marka loo eego fursadaha loogu gudbo tartanka ciyaaraha kama dambaysta ah ee College Football Playoff oo loo ballaariyay 12 kooxood, Rabinowitz wuxuu tilmaamay in xitaa haddii ay kooxdu keento natiijo ah 10-2 ama 9-3 ay weli u gudbi karto tartankaas. Wuxuu intaas ku daray in jadwalka adag ee xilliga caadiga ah uu kooxda u diyaarin doono ciyaaraha kama dambaysta ah.

Waraysiga ayaa sidoo kale diiradda lagu saaray niyadda kooxda, iyadoo Rabinowitz uu soo qaatay hadal uu sheegay madax-tababaraha Ryan Day oo ahaa “Weligay ma faraxsani.” Sidoo kale, Rabinowitz wuxuu xusay buugga uu qaray ee loogu magac daray “Buckeye Brotherhood,” oo ku saabsan kooxdii Ohio State ee ku guuleysatay horyaalka qaranka sannadkii 2024, kaas oo hadda laga heli karo shabakadaha Audible iyo Amazon.

Xigasho: WOSU